... says my wife

[kadioguy]

(From Reader's Digest Chinese edition 2023.12)

1. Why is the present simple used? Does that mean the situation happens often? Or is it more like the writer is telling a story using the present simple?

2. I think that the past simple would also work, which means it did happen sometime in the past. Right? (In this case we would change "Or she'll say" to "Or she'd say". )

(Edit: Enlarged the screenshot to make it more readable.)

 

[Tarheel]

We often use present simple when telling a story. (See below )

"So I'm sitting in my seat, and I hear an announcement over the loudspeaker."

 

[kadioguy]

We often use present simple when telling a story. (See below )

"So I'm sitting in my seat, and I hear an announcement over the loudspeaker."

I agree that this sounds reasonable.

And how about this? Could it also be possible?

Does that mean the situation happens often?

 

[5jj]

It could.

 

[jutfrank]

1. Why is the present simple used? Does that mean the situation happens often? Or is it more like the writer is telling a story using the present simple?

I think you can give both as reasons.

2. I think that the past simple would also work

It's not often a case of things either working or not working. It's better to think of things working well or not well. Ask how well something works.

I say no, past simple wouldn't work well. The present simple is used for precisely the reasons you state in your first question.

 

[Tarheel]

I recently heard a comedian having fun with that usage. He would say something like, "I'm getting on the plane" and then add "Not right now." Of course, it was perfectly obvious he wasn't doing that. What was funny was that he said it all, but also, of course, the way he said it.

 

[kadioguy]

I say no, past simple wouldn't work well. The present simple is used for precisely the reasons you state in your first question.

The scenario in my mind was like this:
----
Sartorially speaking, my philosophy is the opposite of fast fashion. I'm an adherent of wear-it-until-it-falls-off-your-body. Sometimes this brings marital discord. I remember one time: “You are not going out in that,” said my wife, Jocasta, as she inserted a wriggling finger into various holes in my T-shirt.

“That's air-conditioning,’ I responded as I defiantly headed out the door.

Or she’d say: "I can actually see your underwear through those jeans. You are an outrage to public decency.”

To which I'd reply: “Yes, but I can wear these jeans at least seven or eight more times. And if it gives others a thrill....”
----
What do you think about this scenario?

 

[kadioguy]

I say no, past simple wouldn't work well. The present simple is used for precisely the reasons you state in your first question.

Why did you use "state" instead of "stated"? Did you want to emphasize that I will still hold the same opinion, rather than the the time point in the past when I said that?

[Update]
I discussed it with a friend, who is a native speaker, and he said:

I would personally use "stated." I would assume they used "state" because the reasons are true now and they were back then, but I personally find it somewhat odd, as I liken it to say "...for precisely the reasons you write in your first question." which obviously doesn't work.

 

[Tarheel]

The dialogue is clever. (#7)

As for #8, I wouldn't have any response.

 

[kadioguy]

As for #8, I wouldn't have any response.

Or maybe if speaking time is close, native speakers might use either "state" or "stated" as they prefer. It is a stylistic choice.

 

[tedmc]

The simple present tense gives a sense of immediacy though the action is in the past.

 

[kadioguy]

The simple present tense gives a sense of immediacy though the action is in the past.

So in your opinion the dialog box above can also be "tedmc says:"?

 

[Tarheel]

We would be less likely to use that with a direct quote. (See below.)

Tedmc says he goes for a fifteen minute jog every morning.

 

[kadioguy]

We would be less likely to use that with a direct quote. (See below.)

Tedmc says he goes for a fifteen minute jog every morning.

What do you think about the opinion in the update in post #8?

 

[5jj]

What do you think about this scenario?

It's an odd mix of simple past (suitable for 'I remember one time') and habitual past ('She'd say', 'I'd respond').

 

[kadioguy]

It's an odd mix of simple past (suitable for 'I remember one time') and habitual past ('She'd say', 'I'd respond').

Would this be better? ('She could say', 'I could respond').

 

[5jj]

No.

 

[kadioguy]

No.

Well, then "She'd have said" and "I'd have replied".

How would you write them?

 

[5jj]

I wouldn't.

If you are talking about one time in the past, then only the past simle works - and possibly the past condituous.

 

[jutfrank]

What do you think about this scenario?

What do I think? I think you've got it wrong. You've misunderstood what the writer means.

Or she’d say: "I can actually see your underwear through those jeans. You are an outrage to public decency.”

To which I'd reply: “Yes, but I can wear these jeans at least seven or eight more times. And if it gives others a thrill....”

The bold bits don't match your interpretation of there being only one specific past occasion.